MAYOR'S MOMENT: Beginnings, endings and carrying on

Billy with Tracey Baker, the new deputy mayor of Littlehampton

I had planned that this would be the last Mayor's Moment I would be writing, wrapping up my year in office, reporting on my final engagements, handing over to the next mayor of Littlehampton and wishing them well for their year ahead.

However, plans sometimes have to change and so this will not be my last time reporting to you as mayor, instead I shall continue for the year ahead having been re-elected at the annual meeting of the town council on Thursday evening.

It is normal that the deputy mayor would automatically be the mayor elect for the following year, however due to personal reasons councillor Dr James Walsh felt it would be impossible for him to attend all the events that go with the job.

I take this opportunity to thank my fellow councillors for entrusting me with this role for a further term and will serve my town to the best of my abilities.

Billy with the chairman and councillors of Arun District Council and the team at the Foreshore office on the promenade for the raising of the flag in recognition of the town's Seaside Award.

I also thank Dr Walsh for his support over the past year and know this was not an easy decision for him to make as he did not want to let down the community he has served so well for many years.

Rewinding to Monday I started my week by joining members of the Littlehampton University of the Third Age for a coffee morning at the VIP Club at the Vardar Restaurant.

The coffee morning was well attended and I spoke with many members about what the group has to offer. The message I was getting was that there is something for everyone, and if there isn’t they will work with you and support to set a group up to do a new activity. A number of the members mentioned their yoga classes and about a trip they arranged to the Isle of Wight.

On Tuesday I met with the team from St Barnabas House hospice’s Outreach Project outside Sainsbury’s. I had been invited to write on their Before I Die board as part of their efforts for Dying Matters Awareness Week.

Billy with Mark Biggs at Biggs Bakery in Wick. Mark presented Billy with a cheque for Â£120 towards mayoral fundraising efforts from the sale of mayor's cakes

While not possibly a subject everyone wants to think about or feels comfortable talking about, it is something that cannot always be ignored and they are on hand to listen and help with information on this challenging topic.

While there I had a good chat with the team who have information about all types of different organisations not just cancer support.

On Wednesday I was invited to Arun District Council’s annual meeting where Jacky Pendleton finished her term as chairman of the council. It has been lovely to get to know her over the past year as part of the ‘chain gang’.

I would like to congratulate Jacky on raising more than £4,000 for the charities she has been raising funds for over the past year. Our own town councillor Alan Gammon was voted in as the new chairman and will be raising funds for Littlehampton and Bognor Shopmobility.

I wish him well in his year ahead and hope he enjoys it – he will be joined by councillor Pat Dillon as new deputy chairman.